Ashford International Truckstop work to begin next week

Construction work will begin next week on a new multi-million pound truckstop.

Managers at the existing Ashford International Truckstop are having to turn away 500 drivers a week, but expect their new site will open in autumn next year.

It will feature 600 spaces as part of the Waterbrook Park development which is double the size of the existing facility.

The truckstop will feature 600 spaces

Manager Darren Smith confirmed building work on the new site will start on Tuesday.

He said: "We sit on a capacity of 98.9% full on a weekly basis so we want to help the drivers and help Kent, especially with Brexit coming, and we can see it is a thriving business.

"The new truck park will be located in a slightly different location on Waterbrook Park so there will be not impact on our normal service.

How the Waterbrook Park site could look

"We may look to utilise the new parking area before it is finished completely, giving the drivers we normally turn away a place to sleep for the night."

The Waterbrook Park application in Ashford has been in the pipeline since November when developer GSE Group submitted its masterplan for the £150 million project.

It will be built on land off Bad Munstereifel Road near junction 10.

A planned rest area for HGV drivers

Full planning permission for the truckstop and a number of commercial buildings was given last month, as well as outline permission for up to 400 homes, a supermarket and drive-through restaurants.

A Jaguar Land Rover dealership is also due to move to the site.

Mr Smith added electric charging ports for visiting lorries could also be added to the lorry park.He said: "We are looking to install some electric hook-up points in an area where we can increase these further in the future, especially with the new e-trucks coming into play.

"These charging ports will reduce the noise and pollution in the area, giving not only the drivers but local residents a better environment to live in."